Jenna Bush Hager is bringing her latest Read With Jenna book club pick to the small screen, and it’s a project she’s especially excited about. The former First Daughter announced that her July book club selection, All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker, will be adapted into a television series.
A Genre-Bending Masterpiece
During the June 20, 2024 episode of Today, Bush Hager shared the news that her production company, Thousand Voices, is partnering with NBCUniversal Studio Group and Dinner Party Productions to turn Whitaker’s novel into a TV show. She described the book as a “genre-bending masterpiece” with “something for everybody,” and added that it may be her “most favorite book” that she’s chosen for the club. While she acknowledged this could be a tough claim for her past picks, Bush Hager couldn’t contain her enthusiasm for the novel.
Set in 1975 Missouri, All the Colors of the Dark follows two young girls, Patch and Saint, whose small town is rocked by a series of disappearances. As Patch vanishes, Saint embarks on a years-long mission to uncover the mystery behind the disappearances. Bush Hager described the story as one of “obsession, deep dedication to friendship, and the blinding light of hope.”
The Book’s Impact on Bush Hager and Her Family
Bush Hager’s love for the book didn’t stop with her. Her husband, Henry Hager, also devoured the novel, finishing it in a week—something Bush Hager jokingly pointed out isn’t typical for him. “We know Henry Hager can’t read anything in a week!” she laughed during the Today interview.
She further described the novel as having elements reminiscent of Room, To Kill a Mockingbird, and The Goldfinch, emphasizing how the book’s gripping narrative made it nearly impossible to put down. “It looks thick, but I read it over one weekend. It’s so propulsive. You will start and be done before you know it,” she said, encouraging viewers to read it ahead of the TV adaptation.
Virtual Book Club Discussion and Aspen Ideas Festival
For fans eager to dive deeper into the novel, Bush Hager is hosting a virtual discussion with Chris Whitaker on July 23, 2024, which fans can join through the Read With Jenna website. Additionally, the author and Bush Hager will be at the Aspen Ideas Festival starting on June 23, where they’ll discuss the book further.
A Successful Book Club and TV Adaptation Partnership
Since launching her book club in 2019, Bush Hager has shared a variety of her favorite books with her audience, and she’s now expanding that influence by adapting her picks for television and film. In 2022, she signed a deal with Universal Studio Group to turn her book club selections into TV shows and movies. All the Colors of the Dark marks another major step in her production journey.
Bush Hager’s first adaptation under this deal was The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession, and the Natural History Heist of the Century by Kirk W. Johnson, which was announced in August 2022. While no premiere date has been set for the Feather Thief adaptation, Bush Hager has expressed her excitement for these projects and the opportunity to bring her beloved books to a wider audience.
Looking Ahead
As Jenna Bush Hager continues to champion authors and bring their stories to the small screen, her readers can look forward to the upcoming All the Colors of the Dark TV series. With her commitment to these adaptations and a growing production portfolio, Bush Hager’s impact on the literary world continues to expand, making her book club a key resource for readers and TV fans alike.